'Go Home' van ads investigated

The ads were "reminiscent of slogans used by racist groups to attack immigrants in the past"

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An investigation into the Home Office "Go Home" ad vans has been launched by the Advertising Standards Authority.

The ASA said it received 60 complaints expressing concerns the ads were "reminiscent of slogans used by racist groups to attack immigrants in the past".

In addition, the regulator said some complainants have challenged whether a claim in the advert reading "106 arrests last week in your area" was misleading.

Last month, ads displayed on billboards carried by vans in six London boroughs told overstaying migrants ''Go home, or you'll be picked up and deported".

Migrant groups, Labour politicians and unions reacted to the campaign with anger and disgust.

An ASA spokesman said: "I can confirm the Advertising Standards Authority has launched a formal investigation into the Home Office 'Go Home' ad campaign following 60 complaints.

"Complainants have expressed concerns the ad, in particular the phrase 'Go Home', is offensive and irresponsible because it is reminiscent of slogans used by racist groups to attack immigrants in the past and could incite or exacerbate racial hatred and tensions in multicultural communities.

"Separately, some complainants have challenged whether the claim '106 arrests last week in your area' is misleading.

"They've also challenged whether it is misleading because it implies arrest is the automatic consequence of remaining in the UK without permission.

"We will publish our findings in due course."

The ASA's probe is in addition to another investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into a wave of immigration checks across the country.

The EHRC launched the probe after it was claimed the spot checks - conducted at transport hubs up and down the country - were being carried out by border officials purely on the basis of ethnicity.

Chris Bryant MP, Labour's shadow immigration minister, said: "This is another embarrassing blow to a Government which continues to fail to deal with immigration.

"With more people absconding at the border and fewer illegal immigrants being returned, David Cameron and Theresa May can't even get the basics right, stumbling from one shambles to another.

"You've got to question the Government's competence. We need effective action on immigration not offensive stunts."